Studies conducted over the past few years show the close links between oral health and your immune system. We now know that when people neglect their oral health, it can detrimentally affect their immune system, increasing the risk of serious health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, dementia and respiratory diseases.
Most of these problems are a result of bacterial buildup in your mouth. The warm, moist environment of your mouth couldn’t be better for bacteria to thrive. Additionally, leftover food particles ensure these bacteria have plenty of nutrients. This is why it’s so important to brush and floss daily.
People who fail to look after their dental health can soon develop gum disease, a bacterial infection that gradually destroys gum tissue, causing gums to bleed readily. As the gums bleed, they allow mouth bacteria to enter the bloodstream, prompting an immune response as the body tries to fight this new source of infection. In the short term, this immune response won’t do any harm, but when it occurs continually, it can cause other health problems.
We are passionate about preventative dentistry and encourage everyone to visit us regularly and to brush at least twice a day and floss once-a-day.